Ammunition boxes, belts and loading accessories

One of the key components to any weapon is ammunition feed – it can be the difference between firing and stoppages. This page identifies some of the accessories for the Vickers MG that were used to feed that ammunition to the gun, store that ammunition in transit and any other items that relate to ammunition.

Initially introduced during the latter years of the Great War, it became the standard box for the Vickers MG and remained in service through to the Second World War with the British, when it was largely replaced with factory-packed liners for active service – it was still used for training. In Australian service it remained in use throughout the War and afterwards.

The tinned plate lining carried one belt of 250-rounds of ammunition for the Vickers. Whilst other tinned plate linings were used for other ammunition types, the H.29 was specific for the Vickers as it had two lifting tabs to facilitate easier belt removal.Two linings were carried in the Boxes, A.S.A., H.29. Later use saw them packed individually into H.51 boxes.

The belt was protected using a plywood (or other wood types as available) in the base of the lining, with a felt pad on the top and cardboard inserts to keep the ammunition in place in the belt.

There are many varieties of lining depending on place of production and some of these are shown in the photos below. The latest dated example in the VMGCRA collection is from 1970.

Tinned plate lining, H.58, Mk. I

Box, Ammunition Small Arms, H.29

Holding the tinned plate linings shown above, the H.29 wooden box was the main intermediate storage and packing for belted ammunition through the Second World War. Details of the actual marks of boxes are given below the table, including examples in the collection. The manner in which the boxes were used for belts is shown in the Table.

Each box carried two tinned plate linings, each with 250-rounds of belted ammunition for the Vickers MG. The Mk. II had a rope handle.

The H.29 was also used to pack belts of 7.92mm ammunition for the Besa MG or cartons of 9mm ammunition.

Box, Ammunition, Small Arms, H.29, Mk. III

Each box carried two tinned plate linings, each with 250-rounds of belted ammunition for the Vickers MG. The Mk. III simplified construction and replaced the rope handle with a web 1-inch strap at each end.

When used to carry belted ammunition, it was painted ‘bluish-green’ to make it easily identifiable. This was changed to Service Brown in January 1945. Many boxes were repainted as they remained in the stores system but internals may remain ‘bluish-green’.

Box, Ammunition, Small Arms, H.51

The H.51 was introduced as part of the ‘Jungle Pack’ ammunition system in late-1944 and was intended to provide sealed ammunition in rot-resistant packaging for sustainability of supply in the Far East. Whilst it is unclear whether it was formally part of the fighting system that introduced the 1944 Pattern Equipment and other associated items, it was part of the same scope for the British Army’s future conflict. These boxes became a universal system, along with the H.50 shown below, until the introduced of the H.83 boxes introduced in the 1960s.As with much of the equipment introduced in 1944, despite being produced and dated to that year, there is no evidence that it was used during the Second World War in any theatre.

Two H.51 boxes, each containing one tinned plate lining, were carried in the H.50. As well as the liner, they have rubber and plywood spacers to ensure a tight fit.

A minor variation in production introduced in the late 1940s replaced the wire closures with pressed metal closures.

Box, Ammunition, Small Arms, H.50

Each H.50 ammunition box carried two H.51 boxes, shown above, each containing one tinned plate lining with 250-rounds of belted ammunition. They were part of the standard ‘Jungle Pack’ introduced in late-1944 and then used universally until the introduction of the H.83 ammunition boxes.A minor variation in production introduced in the late 1940s replaced the wire closures with pressed metal closures.

Box, Ammunition, Small Arms, H.3

A generic ammunition box that was principally used to package .303-inch ammunition suitable for all weapons; therefore, it would have been used for manually reloading ammunition belts where appropriate. It was not a specific ammunition box for the .303-inch Vickers; however, it was used to package .5-inch Drill ammunition in articulated belts, as used in the .5-inch Mk III.

The boxes are carried by a nylon handle that is recessed into the base of the box to stop it slipping off. The lids of the box come off partially or completely depending on whether you undo all the clips or not. There is a foam insert inside the lid to prevent rattling and damage.

Belts

The ammunition belt for the Vickers was one of the key components that could mean the gun runs extremely well or extremely poorly. Some of the key points before and during firing were to ensure that the ammunition belt was clean, in good condition and being fed correctly.

It is often cited that the phrase “Give them whole nine yards” comes from the lengths of the Vickers ammunition belt. This story is examined here.

EMERGENCY BELT FOR VICKERS MACHINE GUN

With reference to the device for holding a 25-rounds Maxim belt in position on a Vickers .303-inch gun for the purpose of having the gun in the “ready” for “immediate” action when sudden emergency arises.

The idea emanated from the Machine Gun School at G.H.Q.B.E.F. It is considered to be of value. it was mentioned as for ordinary use, and also for cavarly, but it seems hardly suitable for the latter service from the point of view of carriage on pack saddlery but this could be tried.

One has now been built up here, which seems to meet the case.

For convenience in handling and packing, it has been found necessary to introduce a special leather tag for the belt.

This is applicable to both fabric and metallic belts. It can be attached to both by means of eyelets. It is necessary to alter a clip of the latter mentioned belt in order to attach the tag. One tag is required at each end of the belt.

The holder is made of steel, this being found more stuiable than leather or canvas. It is attached to the gun by means of a broad band of leather secured to the left side of the holder. This band passes underneath the gun. A small leather strap is attached to the band, and this is buckled round the mouth of the feed block.

Another strap is attached to the end of the band, and is provided with an adjustable extention with a quick release fastening. This is passed through the opening under the feedblock and above the bottom pawls and extends partly over the holder, where it engages with a quick release strap fastened to the left side of the holder. This holds the holder in position over the rolled-up belt.

When the gun is required for “action,” the quick release is pulled, the holder pushed off to the left and the belt to the right. The gun being “ready,” it can be fired at once.

In case of a “fault in feed,” the feed block can be removed and left hanging with the belt and holder attached to it to be “cleared” when convenient.

Webbing can be used in lieu of leather for the broad band and for the straps, if preffered. It has an advantage over leather in that it will not stretch to the same extent.

The device is forwarded herewith together with two belts, one metallic and one fabric loaded with dummies.

Report to D.D.G.M.D.S.:-

ACTION TAKEN- A sample of this device was viewed by the Committee, and Committee recommends that the pattern be approved as per sample, and recommends that 100 metallic belts and 100 fabric belts be made up and sent to France; that two metallic belts and two fabric belts be sent to the Machine Gun School at Grantham.

The make-up – with one side flat, and the other crimped is unsatisfactory as regards filling in the belt-filling machine, owing to the pocket opener not entering truly and that the belt is travered when a pocket is not filled. In the latter case the feed is not, therefore, positive.

The pockets are irregular in size, due possibly to being hand stitched.

As regards the waterproofing: this seems fairly good, but a comparison with the Service viscose treatment is not possible owing to the difference in material.

Belt “B.” – This is in a similar condition as regards filling by machine and irregularity in size of pockets.

The material does not afford a good enough hold for the cartridges.

Belt “C.” – This belt is satisfactory with the exceptions that the steel strips will rust quickly and rot the material, and when the first belt with steel strips was submitted it was stated that the in[t]ention was to use them once, and then throw them away, but at present prices this course appears very wasteful. S.W.E. has supplied the trial belts of linen webbing and brass short strips, and this is preferable, provided sufficient material is obtainable, and that the edges of the two strips of webbing are not, in places, parallel one with the other. The latter defect affects the true entry of the pocket opener of the belt-filling machine.

As regards material, it has been found here that a herring-bone make-up is superior as regards frictional hold on the cartridges to plain diagonal weaving as in this belt. I think the former should be insisted upon if possible.

Belt “D” has herring-bone material.

Belt “D.” – The steel strips are objectionable in this as in the “C” belt from a store and life point of view, and the under and over method for the strips is not so simple for manufacture.

Report by S.W.E.:-

This belt would cost, if anything, a little more to make than the Service belt. The iron strips would rust very quickly if exposed to the weather.

ACTION TAKEN-

Report to D.D.G.M.D.S.:-

The Committee recommends that unless a shortage of existing material as regards belts of present pattern occurs, either as regards webbing or brass, it is not recommended to make any alteration in existing pattersn, which have given full satisfaction. If a substitute is required, the webbing material of Belt “D” is the most satisfactory, but under no conditions is it advisable to adopt steel in place of brass.

Machine, Filling Belts, Maxim, .303-inch, Mk. II

The belt-filling machine was used by machine gun sections and one was carried for every two guns in the limbered wagon. It could refill the Mk I ammunition belt with the brass strips. It was not suitable for the stripless belt or the metal links.

As shown in the photos, it could be fixed to the draw-bar between the two portions of the limbered wagon.

From Imperial War Museum film 243, still at 1min 43secs.

To help explain how the belt filling machine works, we have produced a video – available on youtube.

Links

A metal belt has been introduced for use with machine guns, other than converted Maxim guns, and supplies are shortly expected.

The approved proportion of metal and web belts to be held with each machine gun (other than converted Maxim guns) is as follows:-

4 metal belts

per gun

12 web belts

per gun

Web belts surplus to this scale should, when replaced, be handed over to Ordnance Officers for return to Base. The present equipment of sixteen web belts per gun should be retained for the converted Maxim guns.

With each set of four complete metal belts, six 25-round metal belts will be issued for repairs, and for use with the gun in an emergency, each 25-round belt consisting of the spare parts:-

25 clips, 26 pins, 2 tags

Indents for metal belts and spare parts on the above scale should be sent to Ordnance Officers concerned, and issue will be made as supplies become available.

Deflector cases

Belt box carriers and feed reels

To help feed the ammunition freely, reduce the likelihood of stoppages caused by mis-fed belts, and ease the strain on the feed pawls of the feedblock, a carrier was introduced to hold the belt box close to the feedblock of the gun. This also meant that the gun could be easily traversed without the assistance of the No. 2.

Belt box carriers

General Routine Order 797 dated 23 April 1915.

Machine Gun Equipment.

Approval is given for the issue of the following stores for use with machine guns:-

Indents to complete to above scale should be sent to Ordnance Officers concerned, and issue will be made as supplies become available.

Army Council Instruction 272 dated 28 June 1915.

Carrier Ammunition Belt Box for Machine Guns.

The undermentioned stores have been approved in addition to the existing machine gun equipment held on charge, and will be provided at the rate of one per mounting:-

Carrier ammunition belt box.This is attached to the tripod, and supports the ammunition belt box as close as possible to the feed block, thus keeping the box off the ground and exposing as little as possible of the belt in bad weather.

Issues will be made to units of the New Armies as stores become available, but demands for the carriers should be forwarded to D.D.O.S., Woolwich, by S.R. battalions, T.F. units, schools of instruction and 2nd reserve battalions.

Feed reels

BELT REEL AXIS FOR MACHINE GUNS

The Comptroller of Munitions Inventions, 24.2.16, forwards to D.D.G.(S.), at the request of the Advisory Committee, for consideration a description and drawings of a Belt Reel Axis for Machine Guns.

The idea is to facilitate the easy and rapid changing of empty reels with a loaded belt wound on.

The reel is similar to the reel already in use on many Maxim guns adapted for firing at hostile aircraft. This is composed of two thin sheet metal discs fixed on a centre boss of mild steel, through which a 5/8-inch diameter hole is bored.

The axis on which the wheel rotates is in two parts, the part nearer the rear of the gun is a continuation of a pin, fixed to a hole through which the elevating joint pin is placed when the gun is normally mounted on the standard tripod. The forward portion is a sliding axis supported in a bearing attached to the barrel casing by a pair of light clips.

When it is desired to change reels, the sliding axis is drawn forward by taking hold of the milled edge collar and drawing it towards the muzzle of the gun. This compresses the light spiral spring which normally holds the axis in the centre of the reel. Each axis is ¾” long, therefore a sliding forward movement of the sliding axis of 1¾” leaves a clearance of ⅛” on each side of the reel between the ends of the axis. The empty reel is withdrawn and a fresh one placed in position, the milled collar is released allowing the spring to force the sliding axis to the rear, thus supporting the reel. On the fixed axis is a collar faced with leather or wood fibre against which the side of the drum bears. This is to prevent the reel rotating when the gun ceases firing, and also steadies the feeding of cartridges whilst the gun is being fired.

It will be noted that no dimensions are given, but the sketch is made with regard to probable “proportionate sizes.”

D.D.G.(S.) forwards to the Munitions Design Committee for consideration.

ACTION TAKEN-

Reported to D.D.G.M.D.(S.).:-

The Committee recommend:-

(1) That all existing designs of this nature be collected and laid before the Committee.

(2) That a sample of the device at preset in use with the Naval Air Service be also produced.

(3) That a sample of light box attachd to the gun for high angle fire, as are at present in use with the Motor Maxim Gun Companies, be also produced.

ACTION TAKEN-Reported to D.D.G.M.D.(S). The Committee viewed and discussed the above samples and recommends, in the event of a device being needed for feeding cartridges into the Vickers or Maxim gun for high-angled fire, that the most suitable arrangement is a metal belt box similar in principle to that supplied by Messrs. Vickers to the Royal Flying Corps and motor machine gun batteries which has advantages over the belt reel.

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